FC Barcelona's Goalkeeping Has Been a Focus of Uncertainty in Recent Seasons. Marc-André ter Stegen, the usual starter and one of the team's pillars, has been off the field due to a serious patellar tendon injury. This situation forced the club to seek an emergency solution, finding Wojciech Szczęsny as a temporary replacement.
The Veteran Polish Goalkeeper, Who Had Considered Retirement, Accepted the Challenge and Has Left a Good Impression at Camp Nou. However, the management led by Deco has decided to make a change and bet on a new goalkeeper for the future.
Deco Finds the Ideal Goalkeeper for €30M
Despite Szczęsny's Solid Performance, Deco Has Been Evaluating Alternatives to Secure Barça's Goalkeeping for the Long Term. He has found the ideal profile in Joan García, goalkeeper of RCD Espanyol, whose performance in LaLiga has not gone unnoticed.
The Young Goalkeeper Has a Release Clause of €30 Million, a Figure That, in the Current Market, Is Considered a Great Opportunity. With teams like Arsenal also interested in his services, Barça wants to get ahead and close the deal as soon as possible.
Trained in Espanyol's Youth Ranks, Joan García Debuted with the First Team in 2021. Since then, his progress has been meteoric, becoming one of the best goalkeepers in LaLiga.
In the 2024-2025 season, he leads the save statistics in the Spanish championship, with 93 saves in 25 matches. One of His Most Memorable Performances Was a Point-Blank Save Against Girona, Considered the Best Save of the Season.
Additionally, his great performance has led Luis de la Fuente to include him in the preliminary list for the next draft of the Spanish National Team.
Espanyol Won't Make His Departure Easy
The Major Obstacle for Joan García's Signing Is the Relationship Between Barça and Espanyol. The white-and-blue team is the biggest rival of the culés in the city and won't make it easy to negotiate his departure.
However, with a €30M clause, Barça holds the upper hand. If the blaugrana club decides to pay it, Espanyol won't be able to do anything to retain their star goalkeeper.
The Signing of Joan García Responds to a Clear Future Strategy by Deco and Hansi Flick. Although Ter Stegen remains a key piece in the team, his physical problems have raised alarms in the club.
The German will have to regain his best level when he returns to action, but the management doesn't want to depend on his physical condition in the long term.
With Joan García, Barça Ensures a Goalkeeper with Projection, Talent, and Experience in LaLiga, Who Can Compete with Ter Stegen from Day One.
Barça Speeds Up Negotiations
Deco Is Clear That Joan García Is the Ideal Bet for Barça's Goalkeeping. The blaugrana management plans to activate his €30M clause next transfer market and secure his incorporation before other European clubs enter the bidding.
If everything goes as planned, Joan García could be Barça's new goalkeeper next season and mark the beginning of a new cycle in the culé goalkeeping.